Admissions | Cal Poly Academic Catalog * Skip to Content * AZ Index * Catalog Home Search catalog Submit search 2026-2028 Catalog Toggle menu * College & Departments * Programs * Courses * Prior Catalogs * Resources & Policies * Welcome to Cal Poly * About the Catalog * Academic Standards and Policies * Graduate Education * International Education * Extended Education * Faculty and Staff * Catalog Home : * Welcome to Cal Poly : * Admissions Admissions 2026-2028 Edition 2026-2028 Catalog * Welcome to Cal Poly Toggle Welcome to Cal Poly * Academic Services and Programs Toggle Academic Services and Programs * Academic Advising * Cal Poly Scholars * Intercollegiate Athletics * Library Services * Office of Student Research * Office of Writing and Learning * Pre-​Health Career Advising * Transfer Center * University Advising-​Retention * University Honors Program * University Studies * Student Resources Toggle Student Resources * Campus Health and Wellbeing * Career Services * Center for Bystander Intervention and Cal Poly (WITH US) * Disability Resource Center * Office of the Dean of Students * Student Affairs Diversity and Inclusion * Technology Services at Cal Poly * Campus Life Toggle Campus Life * Associated Students, Inc. * Cal Poly Partners * Leadership and Service * New Student &​ Transition Programs * Parent &​ Family Programs * Public Safety * Sustainability Practices * University Housing * Academic Calendar * Admissions * Culture and Institutional Excellence * Financial Information * Student Affairs * The CSU System * University Learning Objectives * University Policies * About the Catalog Toggle About the Catalog * Accreditation * Updates to the Catalog * Academic Standards and Policies Toggle Academic Standards and Policies * Academic Placement * Academic Standards * Evaluation of Transfer Credit * General Requirements -​ Bachelor's Degree * Grading * Other Academic Policies * Registration * Bailey College of Science and Mathematics Toggle Bailey College of Science and Mathematics * Biological Sciences Toggle Biological Sciences * Chemistry &​ Biochemistry Toggle Chemistry &​ Biochemistry * Kinesiology and Public Health Toggle Kinesiology and Public Health * Liberal Studies, an Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program Toggle Liberal Studies, an Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program * Mathematics Toggle Mathematics * Physics Toggle Physics * School of Education Toggle School of Education * Statistics Toggle Statistics * College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Toggle College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences * Agribusiness Toggle Agribusiness * Agricultural Education &​ Communication Toggle Agricultural Education &​ Communication * Animal Science Toggle Animal Science * BioResource &​ Agricultural Engineering Toggle BioResource &​ Agricultural Engineering * Experience Industry Management Toggle Experience Industry Management * Food Science &​ Nutrition Toggle Food Science &​ Nutrition * Marine Transportation Toggle Marine Transportation * Military Science Toggle Military Science * Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences Toggle Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences * Naval Science Toggle Naval Science * Plant Sciences Toggle Plant Sciences * Wine and Viticulture Toggle Wine and Viticulture * College of Architecture and Environmental Design Toggle College of Architecture and Environmental Design * Architectural Engineering Toggle Architectural Engineering * Architecture Toggle Architecture * City and Regional Planning Toggle City and Regional Planning * Construction Management Toggle Construction Management * Landscape Architecture Toggle Landscape Architecture * College of Engineering Toggle College of Engineering * Aerospace Engineering Toggle Aerospace Engineering * Biomedical Engineering Toggle Biomedical Engineering * Civil &​ Environmental Engineering Toggle Civil &​ Environmental Engineering * Computer Engineering Toggle Computer Engineering * Computer Science and Software Engineering Toggle Computer Science and Software Engineering * Electrical Engineering Toggle Electrical Engineering * Engineering Technology Toggle Engineering Technology * General Engineering Toggle General Engineering * Industrial &​ Manufacturing Engineering Toggle Industrial &​ Manufacturing Engineering * Materials Engineering Toggle Materials Engineering * Mechanical Engineering Toggle Mechanical Engineering * College of Liberal Arts Toggle College of Liberal Arts * Art &​ Design Toggle Art &​ Design * Communication Studies Toggle Communication Studies * English Toggle English * Ethnic Studies Toggle Ethnic Studies * Graphic Communication Toggle Graphic Communication * History Toggle History * Interdisciplinary Studies in the Liberal Arts Toggle Interdisciplinary Studies in the Liberal Arts * Journalism Toggle Journalism * Music Toggle Music * Philosophy Toggle Philosophy * Political Science Toggle Political Science * Psychology and Child Development Toggle Psychology and Child Development * Social Sciences Toggle Social Sciences * Theatre &​ Dance Toggle Theatre &​ Dance * Women's, Gender and Queer Studies Toggle Women's, Gender and Queer Studies * World Languages and Cultures Toggle World Languages and Cultures * Orfalea College of Business Toggle Orfalea College of Business * Interdisciplinary Degree Programs Toggle Interdisciplinary Degree Programs * Maritime Academy * Graduate Education * International Education * Extended Education * Faculty and Staff Print Options * Overview * International Students Undergraduate https://admissions.calpoly.edu/ Admissions Cal Poly comprehensively reviews all applications, seeking students who have strong academic records and are active in and outside the classroom.  Admission to Cal Poly is highly competitive. Beyond the basic California State University qualifications, Cal Poly considers other factors for admission deemed important to the campus and does so in an objective format. Review the selection criteria for undergraduate applicants by starting here: Cal Poly Admissions . Applicants are notified of a formal decision by April 1. First-Year Factors When a first-year application is reviewed, the following are considered: * The applicant’s intended campus location and program of study (the major to which application is made) * The applicant’s college preparatory courses in secondary school * GPA earned in college preparatory courses * The applicant’s extra-curricular activities and work experience * Non-cognitive variables deemed important to the campus For a comprehensive look at Cal Poly’s selection criteria for a first-year applicant, including deadlines, visit Cal Poly Admissions Selection Criteria . The majors below have additional requirements: * Art and Design – qualified first-year applicants will be requested to submit an electronic portfolio per specific instructions provided to the applicant * Music – qualified first-year applicants will be requested to audition either in person or via specified media New Transfer Factors When an upper division 1 transfer application is reviewed, the following are considered: * Overall undergraduate GPA through the fall term of application * Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better in all transferable units attempted 2 ; * Have completed, with a grade of C- or better, courses in English Composition, Critical Thinking, Oral Communication, and Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning at a level satisfying Cal-GETC Areas 1 and 2 requirements, respectively; * Be in good standing at the last institution attended; and * Meet any one of the following eligibility standards. Transfer Based on Current Admission Criteria When a lower-division 3 transfer application is reviewed, the following are considered: * Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better in all transferable units attempted; * Have completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in English composition and a course in Mathematical Concepts & quantitative reasoning at a level satisfying Cal-GETC Area 1A and 2 requirements, respectively; * Be in good standing at the last institution attended; and * Meet any one of the following eligibility standards. Transfer Based on Current Admission Criteria The applicant meets the freshman admission requirements in effect for the term for which the application is filed; - OR - Transfer Based on High School Eligibility The applicant was eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation and has been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation; - OR Transfer Based on Making Up Missing Subjects The applicant had a qualifiable eligibility index at the time of high school graduation (combination of GPA and test scores if needed), has made up any missing college preparatory subject requirements with a grade of C- or better, and has been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation. One baccalaureate-level course of at least 3 semester (4 quarter) units is usually considered equivalent to one year of high school study. (Note: Some CSUs may require lower-division transfer students to complete specific college coursework, for example the four basic skill courses, as part of their admission criteria.) For a comprehensive look at Cal Poly’s selection criteria for a new transfer applicant, including deadlines, visit https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/transfer-student/selection-criteria/ . The majors below have additional requirements: * Art and Design – qualified new transfer applicants will be requested to submit an electronic portfolio per specific instructions provided to the applicant * Music – qualified new transfer applicants will be requested to audition either in person or via specified media * Architecture – qualified new transfer applicants will be requested to submit a portfolio per specific instructions provided to the applicant 1 Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo) only considers new transfer applicants at the junior level (60 or more transferable semester units or 90 quarter units by the time of transfer [end of previous spring term for Fall admission]). Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo)  does not accept applications for these categories: * Lower-division new transfer applicants (less than 60 transferable semester units or 90 transferable quarter units upon transfer) * Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree * Students seeking professional growth or professional development 2 Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo) is highly impacted and admits typically have a higher GPA 3 Cal Poly Maritime Academy (Solano) may consider new transfer applicants at the lower division level or applicants seeking a second baccalaureate degree. Appeals to Undergraduate Admission Decisions - First Year and New Transfers Cal Poly does not set aside spaces for students who appeal admission decisions. Every denied application has been reviewed for maximum consideration. Therefore, for an appeal to have merit it must bring to light new academic information, as well as information pertaining to extenuating circumstances that was not present in the application information that clearly shows the student to be stronger than had been earlier evidenced.  Neither grades received in the current academic year nor mistakes made by the applicant on the application are a basis for an appeal or the reversal of a decision. Review the Cal Poly Admissions website for complete information and instructions regarding the process to submit an appeal here . Application Procedures For admission consideration, Cal Poly requires applicants to submit the online application ( https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/ ) with the corresponding $70.00 application fee, which is both non-refundable and non-transferable. The application and fee cannot be used to apply to another term. Applicants should not submit additional information beyond the information submitted on the application unless requested to do so by the Admissions Office. Applicants are advised to submit complete and accurate information on the application for admission. Failure to file complete, accurate, and authentic application documentation may result in denial of admission, cancellation of academic credit, suspension, or expulsion (Section 41301 of Title V, California Code of Regulations). View detailed online application information at https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/ . Cal Poly Application Filing Periods Cal Poly accepts undergraduate (first-year or new transfer) applications for the Fall term only. First-Year Applicants apply through the online process. This process requires applicants to submit Cal Polys online application with the corresponding fee during the application filing period of October 1 to November 30. *Please note: Applicants will receive notification of their admission status by April 1. Those selected must accept or decline Cal Polys offer of admission by May 1. New Transfer Applicants apply through the online process. This process requires applicants to submit Cal Polys online application with the corresponding fee during the application filing period of October 1 to November 30. *Please note: Applicants will receive notification of their admission status by April 1. Those selected must accept or decline Cal Polys offer of admission by May 1. Offers of admission to Cal Poly are conditional pending satisfactory compliance with the “Terms and Conditions of Admission” found online at Terms and Conditions for First-Year Students and Terms and Conditions for Transfer Students . Finish in Four, Through in Two Program (formerly California Promise) The Finish in Four, Through in Two Program enables a specific number of CSUs to establish pledge programs for entering first-time students who are both interested and able to complete baccalaureate degrees in four years. All CSUs have established programs for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer from any California Community College to complete their baccalaureate degrees in two years. The program is limited to students who are residents of California. Students who commit to enter either the four-year or two-year pledge will be given a priority registration appointment for each state-supported enrollment period and will be provided with routine and thorough academic advisement. In order to remain in the program, students must meet with their advisors as prescribed, develop an enrollment plan and complete 30 semester units within each academic year, including summer. Participating CSUs may stipulate other requirements as well. Interested students entering the CSU should contact university offices or visit Finish in Four, Through in Two website.   The Finish in Four, Through in Two at Cal Poly Cal Poly has established a pilot pledge program for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer to complete their baccalaureate degrees in two years. The Bachelor of Arts in English is the only major available at this time. Interested students should contact Cal Poly’s Transfer Center ( [email protected] ). Former/Returning Students Former Students Returning in the Same Major Students who were previously enrolled at Cal Poly and who wish to return to the university must follow the guidelines appropriate to their category. Former undergraduate students who left Cal Poly in good standing (2.0 or higher GPA) , before completing their degree, and who wish to resume their former program (major) at Cal Poly, can essentially be reinstated after submitting a CSU undergraduate application and transcripts from any institutions attended after leaving Cal Poly. A returning student is one who has no enrollment record for three consecutive regular quarter terms (fall, winter, spring) or two consecutive regular semester terms (fall, spring). Once you have missed 3 quarter terms or two semester terms, you must complete a returning student application. An application and corresponding fee must be filed or postmarked before the application deadline date listed below for the appropriate term: Deadline Dates Term Deadline Fall July 1 Spring October 1 Former students who did not leave the university in good standing (i.e., were academically disqualified), will have their application and transcripts sent to their department college for review before reinstatement can occur. Applicants in this category are advised to contact their major's academic department or advising center to begin dialogue about satisfying any requirements before submitting their application. For more details regarding applying as a returning student please visit the Returning Students website . Former Students Returning in a New Major Former Cal Poly students wishing to return to Cal Poly in a different major must file an online application with the corresponding fee by the same application deadline as new applicants. Applicants in this category will compete equally with new applicants for the available transfer openings in their declared major. Other Information Consistency with State Regulations The philosophy of the Cal Poly Admissions Office is consonant with the mission of California Polytechnic State University and is in accordance with Title V, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations, and specifically, the California Code of Regulations for the California State University System, Title V, Section 40600. Graduate Admission Requirements View online information for graduate admission here . Determination of Residence for Tuition Purposes The Cal Poly Admissions Office determines the residence status of all new and returning students for tuition purposes. View comprehensive online information here . International Admissions Cal Poly, as part of the California State Univer